Apparatus for making wire-glass.



PATENTED PEB. 20, 1906.l

v J. HEIDBNKAMP.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING WIRE GLASS.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 5, 1905.

and various forms of JOSEPH HEIDENKAMP, OF SPRINGDALE, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS Fon ,MAKING WIRE-GLASS.

changed to form glass of different thicknesses...

The most serious ditliculty encountered 1n the manufactureof wire-glass is in positioning the wire meshatthe center of the thickness of the plate or in such position that all portions thereof. areequally distant from the surfaces of the plate. Numerous processes apparatus have vbeen heretofore devised for manufacturing wireglass, and various expediente have beenA resorted to for the purpose of holding the glass ftightly and with all portions thereof uniform distances from the surfaces of the plate. As far as I am aware this has not been satisfactorily accomplished, at least for such wireglass asis desired'shall afterward be ground and polished.

The object of my invention is to provide apparatus wherein the foregoing results are secured and which apparatus is simple and chea of construction, easy of operation, whic cannot get out of repair, and in which the wire fabric will be held absolutely tight and with all portions thereof the same distance from the surfaces of the finished plate.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing end my invention consists of the arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of apparatus constructed according to my invention; and Fig. 2 is a cross-section thereof on the line II II, l4` ig. l. 1

The apparatus embodying my inventionis constructed and operates on the principle of well -known apparatus for manufacturing plate-glass. It comprises a casting-table 1, which may be of any well-known construction for making late and similar glass. Cooperating with tibi-s table is a roller 2, which serves to press the glass downen the table andz determines the thickness ofthe plate in Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed May 5, 1905. Serial No. 258,957.

for holding and tightenin .Patented Feb. 20, 1906.

the well-understood manner. The roller 2 may be made to travel along the table 1, or it may be stationary and the table made to travel underneath'the roller, this being a matter of choice and will be readily understood, because both forms of a paratus are' well known in plate-glass manu acture. As shown in the drawings, the roller is intended to travel along the table, being moved over the latter by any well=known mechanism-such,

for instance, as the hand-wheels 3, secured to the ends of said roller.

One part of my invention relates to means the Wire mesh. This consists of a air of s afts-or rotatable bars 4, extending ongitudinally of the table on each side and journaled in suitable bearings 5. Each of these bars orshafts is provided with a series of studs or hooks' 6 or other devices ada ted to engage and hold the opposite edges o the sheet of wire mesh'7. lThese shafts may be rotated in any suitable way, so as toroll the edges mesh thereon in order to As shown in the drawings, provided with a worm-wheel 8, having meshing therewith a worm 9, secured to a transverse shaft 10. The two worms on the shaft vl() are oppositely arran ed, so that when said shaft is rotated the sha ts 4 will be rotated in opposite directions, so as to move the studs 6 simultaneously away from or toward the table. Any suitable means maybe used for rotating the'shaft 10, the drawings showing ordinary cranks 11 for this purpose. t is obvious that only one shaft 4 need be employed, as the wire mesh may be secured at oneedge to a fixed support or clam and will be equally as well tightened by pu ling on one of the edges thereof. I regard, however, the use of two shafts as preferable.

In the upper 4face of the table 1, adjacent to its opposite side edges, are grooves 12 for receiving bars 1.3, which act as -tracks for the roller 2. These bars 13 are lindrical form. They define the thickness of the finished plate and may therefore be'emloyed in sets varying in size according to the desired thickness of plates to be formed. They rest on top ofthe wire mesh 7, thus confining the latterl near its `edges within the grooves 12, and as the roller 2 rests thereu on these bars will press the` already-strato ed fabric down into thegrooves, and thus still tighten the latter.

further tighten or stretch said fabric and hold 1t very securely-1n place at the very moment.

each shaft is shown` preferably of cyv I of the sheet of wire 'roo -provided with a when the metal is bein rolled into place above and underneath t side of the grooves 12 the face of the table is air of grooves 15, which preferably are of ovetailed form, as shown, and in which are removably fitted bars 16, .which preferably are grooved or channeled, as shown. These bars 16 project above the surface of the table, and their upper edges form rests or supports for the wire mesh, thus defining the extent of the space between said wire mesh and the surface ofthe table. They may, therefore, like the bars 13,` be ern loyed `in sets varying in size according to t e ldesired thickness of plates to be formed.

Upon the hubs of the roller 2 at its o posite ends and in vertical alinement With tlie bars 13 are mounted bearing-sections 17, which rest and travel along the bars 13. These bearing-sections are grooved,.asshown, so that the bars 13 Will guide the roller 2 and keep it squarely across the table. Between l the bearing-sections 17 and the body of the --roller at both ends are arranged disks or eollarslS, which are in'vertical alinement with the bars 16 and are provided with annular projections 19,. which travel in the channelsl or grooves formed in the bars 16, These,

projecting edges, together with the edges of the grooves in the bars 16, form cutters-which sever the projecting edges of the wire mesh.

, I have shown the bearing-sections 17 and collars 18 formed separatev from the body of the 1 roller and fastened in place by means'of screw-bolts 20. I prefer this construction in order that these parts may be readily removed .and replaced. The cutting-disks are liable to wear, and hence need replacement,

. while by means of removable bearing-section r17 the .thickness of the finished plate maybe variedaccording to the diameter of these bearing-sections instead of by changing the bars 13.' f '--The same result might also be obtained by theuse of annular bands or tires secured upon the treads of the bearing-sections 17. f All such modifications Will be a .parent to those skilled in the art and may e employed or not, as desired. The bate of plastic glass willv be confined a ainst spreading sidewise by a gun of any we l-known constructionfplaced in front of the roller 2, as is i f the common practice in plate-glass manufacture.

lIn the use of my apparatus bars 16 of the desired sizeare insertedin the grooves 15. The sheet of wire mesh is then laid over the table, resting upon these bars 1'6, and its opposits edges are attached to the' studs or ooks 6 on the shafts 4. Then b turning the shaft 10 the shafts 4 are turnedrin opposite directions, Aso as to move'the hooks on the vtwo shafts simultaneously away from the table, thus stretching the fabric uniformly and holding it in position.. The bars 13 are then laid on top of the wire mesh and overl e wire mesh. In-

tance from the surfaces of the plate.

,combination of a casting-table an the roller. The roller will then be moved forwardly over the table or the table back' wardly under the roller, thus forming the finished sheet with the wire mesh incorporated therein. As the roller travels al/ong the table it forces the bars 13 down int the grooves 12, thus stretching the fabric 7 still more tightly and holding it firmly in place and at the exact point and moment where and when the mesh is being embedded in the glass. The projecting edges of the disks 18, together with the edges of the grooved bars 16, shearl ofl the protruding edges of the wire mesh.

The apparatus described is very simple and' can be easily operated.

to get outof repair, and thewire mesh will- Ibe held perfectly tight and in such position that all portions thereof will be thesame dis- Conse- The roller is then moved y There are .no parts' quently plates manufactured on this apparatus are especially adapted for grinding and A olishing and for other use's in which a uniis necessary or desirable.

What I claim is 1. In apparatus for making wire-glass, the combination of a casting-tablle and roller co- 0 eratingA therewith, and securing means for tlIfe wire mesh at each side of said table and extendinor transversely to the roller-axis, one at least of said securing means bein movable toward and from the edge of the ta le there# by to tighten the mesh. j

2. In apparatus for makin wire-glass, the combination of a casting-tab e and roller eo- `o erating therewith, and securing means for t e wire mesh at each side of said table and extending transversely to the roller-axis, the securing means at one side at least being rotatable thereby to tighten said mesh.

l 3. In apparatus for making wirelass, the a roller coperating therewith, securing means for the Wire meshing at each side of said table and extending transversely to'the roller-axis, the securing vmeans at one side at least being a rotatable shaft, a Worm-wheel on Said shaft,

and a driven worm-wheel meshing with said Wormwheel.

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4. In apparatus for making Wire-glass, the c combination of a casting-table and roller cooperating therewith, securing means for the wire mesh at each side of said table and eX- tending transversely to the roller-axis, and

means connectingws'aid securing means and arranged to move the same simultaneously away from the table thereby to tighten the mesh.

5. In apparatus for making Wire-glass, the combination of a casting-table and roller cooperating therewith, a series of studs or hooks extending transversely to the rolleraxis at each side of the table for the attachment of the Wire mesh, and a movable bar to `which at least one series of said studs is attached thereby to tighten said mesh.

6. In apparatus for making Wire-glass, the combination of a casting -table and roller cooperating therewith, a series'of studs or hooks extending transversely to the rolleraxis at each side of the table for the attachment of the Wire mesh, and a rotatable shaftby which at least one series of said st-uds is carried.

` 7. In apparatus for making Wire-glass, the combination of a casting-table and roller cooperating therewith,` a rotary shaft atone side of said table and extending transversely to the roller-anis, means for the attachment oi the mesh to said shaft, and means for holding the opposite edge of said Wire mesh.

8. In apparatus for making Wire-glass, the combination of a castingtable and roller cooperating therewith, a rotatable shaft at each side of the table and extending trans- 'ersely to the roller-axis, mea-ns connecting said shafts and arranged to rotate -the same simultaneously in opposite directions, and means for attaching Wire'meshtosaid shafts.

9. In apparatus for making Wire-glass, the

combination of a casting-table and roller cooperating therewith,"a rotatable shaft at each side of the table and extending transversely to the roller-axis, a driving-shaft geared to both of said side shafts 'and arranged to rotate the same in opposite directions, and means for attaching wire mesh to' said side shafts.

10. In apparatus the combination of a cast-in ith a groove near each si e edge, holding means for Wire mesh located at each side of the table outside of said grooves, bars adapted`to be placed over said grooves andabove the nesh, and a roller cooperating with the table and bearing on said bars.

11. In appara-tus for making wire glass, the combination of a casting-table provided with a groove near Yeach side edge, securing means for the 'Wire mesh located outside of said grooves, bars adapted to be placed over said grooves and above the mesh, and a roller for making Wire glass,

cooperating with the table and provided with l securing Wire mesh along one e lable bars adapted to be p -table providedA bearing-grooves traveling on said bars Whereby to stretch the Wire mesh and hold the i roller squarely across the table. l

12. In apparatus for making Wire glass, the combination of a casting-table provided with a groovenear each side ed e, means for ge of the table' outside the groove, a rotatable shaft on l the opposite'edge of the table outside the groove, means Jfor securing the Wire mesh to said rotatable shaft, bars adapted to be placed over said grooves and above said mesh, and a roller cooperating with the table and bearing on said bars.

13. In apparatus for making Wire glass, the combination of a casting-table,y cuttingshoulders on said table along curing means Jfor the Wire mesh located outside of said cutting-shoulders, a roller cooperating With said table, and cutting-disks on said roller cooperating with the cuttingshoulders on the table.

14,. lIn apparatus for making .Wireglass, thecombination of a casting-table'and cooperating roller, bars provided with cuttingshou'lders placed along the edges of thetable, securing means for Wire mesh ocated outside of said bars, and cutting-disks on said roller' cooperating with the shoulders on said bars.

15. In apparatus for making wire glass, thecombination of a casting-table provided with a groove near each side edge, changeable bars located inside of said grooves and adapted to support the Wire mesh and forming cutting-shoulders, securing means 'for the Wire mesh located outside of said Grooves, changeaced over said grooves and on top of the mesh, and a roller cooperating with the table and bearing on the lastnamed bars and having cuttingdiskscoperating With the shoulders on the cuttin -bars.

16, the combination of a casting-table provided with a groove near each side edge, changeable bars located inside of said grooves and adapted to support the wire mesh, securing means for the Wire mesh located outside of said grooves, changeable bars adapted to be placed over said grooves and ontop of the mesh, and a'roller `operatin with the table and bearing on the ast-name bars.

In testimony whereof I, the said JOSEPH HEIDENKAMP, have hereunto set my hand.

F. W. WINTER, ROBERT C. TOTTEN.

n apparatus .for making Wire glass,A

both sides, se-

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